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Hearing and breathing problems are the most common health conditions affecting veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, according to Defense Department data. Conditions such as tinnitus and hearing loss are believed to be associated with proximity to machinery and explosions in war zones, while breathing issues have been associated with dust, pollution, sand and exposure to toxic chemicals.

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Most plastic surgeons are reluctant to perform elective plastic surgery on anyone younger than 18, but sometimes bullying creates untenable situations for teenagers, says plastic surgeon Patrick Wilson. In some cases, plastic surgery can be avoided with early treatment, such as nonsurgical options for protruding ears in babies, Wilson says. Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 received more than 60,000 cosmetic procedures in 2013, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

UnitedHealth Group is not complying with the terms of its $20.5 billion contract to coordinate services in the Tricare West region, resulting in delays in specialized care for beneficiaries, the Pentagon says. A backlog in referrals occurred after UnitedHealth took over the contract in April from TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

There is an immediate need for an increase in HIV/AIDS education, outreach and prevention efforts on the Navajo Nation to avoid an epidemic of the disease, say doctors working on Navajo land. HIV/AIDS cases have increased fivefold in the Navajo Nation since 1999, and new diagnoses were up 20% between 2011 and 2012. "HIV in Indian country is very different than the rest of the world," said Indian Health Service Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan V. Karol. "Our communities are very small, and that can lead to people avoiding stigma, rather than getting the care they need."

Sexual assault and repeated sexual harassment in the military carry long-term financial and emotional costs and can trigger health problems such as PTSD, according to an analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs data. In 2012, more than 85,000 individuals received treatment for illness or injuries related to military sexual trauma, with 4,000 seeking disability benefits.

Iraq War veterans who had multiple concussions are far more likely to have thoughts of suicide than individuals who experienced a single concussion or none at all, according to a study in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Researchers say the link between concussions and suicide is not clearly understood and note that other factors, such as certain character traits, may also influence suicidal tendencies.